soos wrote:

there is a difference between a four season coach and one designed for fulltiming.
I know the OP isn't full time, but fulltiming in a Montana or Alpine would void the warranty if you bought new.
We toured several factories before buying our Mobile Suites and have owned 2 keystone products.
There is a real difference in the quality of the build. Carriage was well built, Hitchhiker was as well, and Mobile/elite suites. There may be others that we didn't look at but Keystone isn't among them as far as we could see by touring the factories.

westie0506 wrote:

We have a 2011 Alpine 3500 - close out end of year deal. Love most of it - never 100% on any IMHO - always wish you had this or that.

justme wrote:

I’m considering buying a truck and 5th wheel instead of another motor home. My decision is based on the apparent improvement in comfort of 5th wheel units these days along with the improved fuel mileage of the new Fords and GM trucks. My question is what are some good quality 5th wheels from 2009 to present? I would like to stay below 16000GVW for the 5th wheel and pull it with either a Ford or GM 3500 extended cab long bed single rear wheel truck. I am not sure what to look for in the engineering that goes into the design and build. I am “extended camper” which means I own a permanent home but travel for months at a time in all places in North America and many parts of Canada. Any ideas and experience is welcome.

justme wrote:

Thanks for the inputs. I have looked closely at DRS and Montana brands so far and they look good. But I always wonder about how the frame, sidewalls insulation, roof edm vs fiberglass, hitch, axels and other mechanical parts. The manufacturers are good a building "fluff" with little mention about the real engineering under the fluff. As far as the truck is concerned, I looking at all of them, but Ford and GM diesels seem to have an edge for 2011 and 2012. Dodge is a lttle outdated IMHO. Cummins has a good reputation, but seem to cut corners on the pickups while their chasis trucks have more modern technology-- I am restricted to a super cab with an 8ft bed SRW because I have to park it in my 22ft garage. I am torn between 4wd and 2wd but favor the 2wd because I don't see a need for 4wd and spinning all of the extra gears for no real reason other than to burn more fuel. Ford offers the electic rear end which would be nice for more traction on the rear. So far Ford has an edge because it has more real improvements, but has a lower 5th wheel rating than GM, but a higher trailer towing rateing(go-figure). GM has a higher carrying capacity because it wieghs less. However the overall difference between Ford, GM and Dodge capacities seem insignificant.